skin fixes

CG! shows you how to fix your biggest skin problems

It sounds like you have cystic acne, which occurs when bacteria grows in plugged pores, making them inflamed and infected. Apply a cream with benzoyl peroxide to the pimples once a day (try Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10, $5, at drugstores); the benzoyl peroxide helps kill the bad bacteria. If you don't see any improvement after two weeks, visit a dermatologist who can help treat your acne with stronger products.

WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THE DARK SPOTS LEFT BEHIND AFTER MY PIMPLES GO AWAY?

If the spots are brown, they're probably postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. You can treat them by applying a cream with 2 percent hydroquinone before you go to bed (try DDF Fade Cream15, $40, ddf.com). If the spots are red, fading creams won't work. It may take up to six months, but don't worry — the spots will fade. Just wear a moisturizer with SPF every day, as sun exposure can slow the healing.

HOW DO I GET RID OF UNDEREYE CIRCLES?

If you get enough sleep (at least eight hours) and you still have dark shadows, there's not much to do. Undereye circles are genetic; you may have thin skin that lets your blood vessels show through, or the shape of your eyes can create shadows. Either way, the fix is concealer: Get a cream formula (it comes in a pot) in the same shade as your skin, and use your middle finger to dab — not wipe — it over the dark areas.

NO MATTER HOW OFTEN I WASH, MY FACE LOOKS OILY BY MIDDAY. WHAT CAN I DO?

Wash in the a.m. and p.m. with a cleanser that has 2 percent salicylic acid, which has a drying effect (try Clearasil Ultra Daily Face Wash, $9, at drugstores). If you still get oily, don't wash your face a third time. Washing too much can strip your skin and cause a rebound effect, in which your skin produces even more oil to protect itself. Instead, use blotting papers to soak up the excess oil.

AFTER SHAVING, I HAVE RED DOTS ALL OVER MY LEGS. HELP!

Those red dots are probably razor burn. Here's how to prevent it: Soak in warm water for at least 10 minutes (the longer you soak, the softer your hair gets). Lather with shaving gel, then shave in the same direction hair grows (down your leg). For a quicker fix, try a depilatory cream for sensitive skin (try Nair Sensitive Formula Gel Cream, $8, at drugstores); depilatories dissolve hair, so they might be less irritating to your skin than razors.

HOW DO I GET RID OF BLACKHEADS?

Blackheads develop when the natural oil in your pores reaches the surface and then turns a darker color when exposed to the air. To treat blackheads, wash your face twice daily with a cleanser that contains glycolic acid (try Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser, $15, mariobadescu.com). Glycolic acid helps your pores stay clear and secrete oil without forming blackheads — it's similar to salicylic acid but tends to be gentler on your skin.

I HAVE LOTS OF SMALL HAIRS ON MY FACE. HOW DO I GET RID OF THEM?

If you look closely, you'll see everyone has hair on her face — it's totally normal. So if it's not that noticeable, consider leaving it. If it's dark, lighten it with a cream bleach (try Jolen Crème Bleach, $10, at drugstores). Or, if it really bothers you, remove the hair with a gentle depilatory cream (try Sally Hansen Creme Hair Remover for Face, $7, at drugstores). You can also get it waxed at a salon; expect to pay about $20, once a month.

WHAT CAN I DO TO GET RID OF BACK PIMPLES AND PREVENT THEM FROM RETURNING?

First, don't scrub — loofahs and back brushes may carry bacteria that could make pimples worse. Instead, use a body wash with salicylic acid once a day (try Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash, $7, at drugstores). To prevent future breakouts, always shower — or at least rinse off — after you exercise or become sweaty. As sweat dries it can stimulate bacteria growth, which can cause more pimples to form.

SOME PARTS OF MY FACE ARE REALLY DRY, BUT OTHERS ARE OILY. WHAT TYPE OF MOISTURIZER SHOULD I USE?

After you wash your face in the morning, apply an oil-free, dimethicone-based moisturizing gel (try Phisoderm Clarifying Gel Facial Moisturizer, $9, at drugstores) followed by sunscreen. If you need more moisture for the dry areas of your skin, dab a moisturizing lotion with sunscreen just on those parts (try Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15, $17, kiehls.com).

I HAVE SMALL, RED BUMPS ON THE BACKS OF MY ARMS AND MY BUTT. HOW DO I FIX THEM?

The bumps are probably keratosis pilaris (KP), which occurs when hair follicles get plugged with keratin (a skin protein). Apply a cream with lactic acid (try AmLactin, $15, dermstore.com); it clears the follicles and keeps your skin moist so KP doesn't return. Resist the urge to scrub; it can cause the follicles to become inflamed, making the condition worse.

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